In Britain, King Edward VIII was proclaimed king following the death of his father King George V. He remained king until December 1936 when he abdicated and was succeeded by George…In Britain, King Edward VIII was proclaimed king following the death of his father King George V. He remained king until December 1936 when he abdicated and was succeeded by George VI

83 years ago

21 Jan

1932

Lytton Giles Strachey, British biographer, critic and member of the Bloomsbury Group, diedLytton Giles Strachey, British biographer, critic and member of the Bloomsbury Group, died

87 years ago

21 Jan

1930

The Buck Rogers comic strip was first published in the United StatesThe Buck Rogers comic strip was first published in the United States

89 years ago

21 Jan

1927

Act three of Gounod's Faust was broadcast from the Chicago Civic Opera, becoming the first opera to be broadcast over a national network in the United StatesAct three of Gounod's Faust was broadcast from the Chicago Civic Opera, becoming the first opera to be broadcast over a national network in the United States

92 years ago

21 Jan

1924

Soviet leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, who led the Bolsheviks to victory in the 1917 October Revolution, died of a brain haemorrhageSoviet leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, who led the Bolsheviks to victory in the 1917 October Revolution, died of a brain haemorrhage

95 years ago

21 Jan

1919

Sinn Fein MPs proclaimed an Irish Republic with Eamon de Valera as president, as the Irish Republican Army attacked British authorities in IrelandSinn Fein MPs proclaimed an Irish Republic with Eamon de Valera as president, as the Irish Republican Army attacked British authorities in Ireland

100 years ago

21 Jan

1911

A motor racing tradition was born as the first Monte Carlo Rally beganA motor racing tradition was born as the first Monte Carlo Rally began

108 years ago

21 Jan

1908

A New York City law made it illegal for women to smoke in public. The offence was punishable by a fine of up to $25.00 and up to ten days imprisonmentA New York City law made it illegal for women to smoke in public. The offence was punishable by a fine of up to $25.00 and up to ten days imprisonment

111 years ago

21 Jan

1907

Taxi cabs were officially recognised in BritainTaxi cabs were officially recognised in Britain

112 years ago

21 Jan

1905

French fashion designer Christian Dior, who helped revolutionise clothing after World War Two, was bornFrench fashion designer Christian Dior, who helped revolutionise clothing after World War Two, was born

114 years ago

21 Jan

1901

Elisha Gray, U.S. inventor who contested the first patent for the telephone with Alexander Graham Bell, diedElisha Gray, U.S. inventor who contested the first patent for the telephone with Alexander Graham Bell, died

118 years ago

21 Jan

1899

Lord Kitchener of Britain was appointed governor-general of SudanLord Kitchener of Britain was appointed governor-general of Sudan

120 years ago

21 Jan

1861

Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and four other Southerners resigned from the U.S. SenateJefferson Davis of Mississippi and four other Southerners resigned from the U.S. Senate

158 years ago

21 Jan

1846

The first edition of the Daily News, edited by Charles Dickens, was published in LondonThe first edition of the Daily News, edited by Charles Dickens, was published in London

173 years ago

21 Jan

1829

Oscar II, king of Norway and Sweden, born; unable to maintain the union of Norway and Sweden, he surrendered the former crown to Prince Carl of DenmarkOscar II, king of Norway and Sweden, born; unable to maintain the union of Norway and Sweden, he surrendered the former crown to Prince Carl of Denmark

190 years ago

21 Jan

1824

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, U.S. confederate general, born. After repulsing Joseph Hooker at Chancellorsville, Jackson's reconnaissance party was accidentally…Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, U.S. confederate general, born. After repulsing Joseph Hooker at Chancellorsville, Jackson's reconnaissance party was accidentally fired on by his own troops and he died soon after

195 years ago

21 Jan

1793

Louis XVI, the last Bourbon king of France, was beheaded on the guillotine. An ineffectual ruler, he was overthrown in the French Revolution, tried for treason and condemned to…Louis XVI, the last Bourbon king of France, was beheaded on the guillotine. An ineffectual ruler, he was overthrown in the French Revolution, tried for treason and condemned to death. His wife, Marie-Antoinette, met the same fate in October

226 years ago

21 Jan

1790

French physician Joseph Guillotin proposed a new, more humane method of execution: a machine designed to cut off the condemned person’s head as painlessly as possibleFrench physician Joseph Guillotin proposed a new, more humane method of execution: a machine designed to cut off the condemned person’s head as painlessly as possible

229 years ago

21 Jan

1781

In America, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Continental Government appointed the first consular officer. Thomas Barclay took up his post as vice-consul in Paris at a…In America, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Continental Government appointed the first consular officer. Thomas Barclay took up his post as vice-consul in Paris at a salary of $1,000

238 years ago

21 Jan

1648

Margaret Brent, the first woman lawyer in the American colonies, was denied the right to vote. A wealthy land-owner, she challenged a poll that had been conducted in her absenceMargaret Brent, the first woman lawyer in the American colonies, was denied the right to vote. A wealthy land-owner, she challenged a poll that had been conducted in her absence

371 years ago

21 Jan

1519

Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa was beheaded for treason in Panama. In 1509 Balboa had founded the colony of Darien in Panama, the oldest still-existing European settlement…Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa was beheaded for treason in Panama. In 1509 Balboa had founded the colony of Darien in Panama, the oldest still-existing European settlement on the mainland of the Americas